Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana !

Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana !

MathiruviLakku, MaviLakku During Purattasi Saturday

In Srivaishnava Community, during the month of Purattasi (Mid August/Mid September) on a Saturday, they used to lit a lamp made of rice flour with added jaggery, Cashew, Ghee etc. Normally, this is done on any one of the Saturdays,  on the first, third or fifth Saturday of Purattasi Tamil month. Mainly, this is done when there is No Utsavam and Dwajarohanam is going on in the Tirupati Hill Temple; So finding a Saturday when the Festivities are going on in the Balaji Mandir of Tirupathi, it is very difficult, so in case of no odd number Saturday available, then they avail any other suitable Saturday. 

Many of the Tamilians [irrespective of the Sect & sub-sects] offer Maavilakku to the GOD of their choice; Amman, Perumal, Murugan ; in temples or at their homes. In Shivites custom, they offer this on the 1st Aadi and 1st Thai Vellikizhamai [Kataka/Karkatam and Makara months’ first Friday] 

Now please go through the following recipe, just given by our ever friendly Cheenu@Coimbatore (the original recipe which he got from his better half known as Saha-Dharmini or simply you call – from his wife) and NOT his own copyrighted one, so you can surely prepare and enjoy the stuff, without worrying about copyright infringements !!!)

INGREDIENTS:
Raw Rice 2 cups

Jaggery (preferred one is jaggery powder) 1 cup.
Cardamom  2 nos. [powdered] 

Ghee  2 table spoons. 

Cotton Wick 1 [not the conventional one] 

Method:
Wash the rice and keep it soaked for 10 or 15 minutes; drain well and spread on a clean white cloth ; grind the rice in a mixer [in small quantity] and sieve; when the powdered rice is ready, mix the flour with the jaggery powder [to add more taste, one can add honey, grated coconut and benzoine known as Pacchaikarpooram] and powdered cardamom: spread the dough on a plate  or basin and make one cup shape mould on the dough ; pour ghee ; put the wick. Now the Maavilakku is ready.

Draw a kolam and place the plate containing the Maavilakku. Decorate with flower. Lit the lamp by chanting slokams of the GOD to whom it is offered.  Srivaishnavites used to chant Govinda, Govinda etc. during the time of lighting the lamp and also when it is at going off stage of the lite. Shivites and others used chant VENKATRAMANA GOVINDA, SANKATA HARANA GOVINDA at the time of lighting the lamp followed by Vishnusahasranamam and Devi slokams.
When the lamp is about to go off, do offerings, neivedhyam of Milk or Fruits. Afterwards, remove the burnt wick, mix the dough properly, distribute the Maavilakku Mavu Prasadm [yummy…….]

You have now had the tasty bud of MaviLakku. Now let us see the meaning behind this practice! The entire DakshinayaNa (Mid July to Mid January) period is said to be of night time for the Devas. During these time, it is entirely devoted to prayer, offering and pooja etc. When the DakshinayaNa begin during Mid July, the Tamil month Aadi begin. From here on all the following six months known as Dakhsinaya is of festivities and celebrations and all to the Lord God. Beginning from the first Friday of Aadi, then Varalakshmi Vratham, Sri Jayanthi – Gokulashtami, Vinayakar Chathurthi, Deepavali (Diwali), Navaratri all the festivals aiming at offerings to the Lord Gods of various Status.

The Legend: During Every Saturday of the Purattasi month, it is said Lord Sri Balaji expecting his devotees to come closer to his consort hills. And for those who could not afford to travel at length, he beams himself through the light of this specific Mavilakku. Thus, a devotee getting His Lord’s Darshan without climbing the seven hills of Thirumala Tirupati. Also, the carbon emanated through the mixture of rice flour and cow’s ghee is said to remove all the ill radiations and negative vibrations from one’s home and that too when one recites aloud the name of the Lord God when the lighted cotton soak goes off. To make it worthy, devotees used to recite the Lord Gods name several times. Govindaa, Govinda, Govindaa. Sure, the fragrance, a temple like atmosphere and the divine recitals and the devotion,  all that makes one refreshed and happy.

Gender Selection – Baby Boy or Baby Girl?  Here is the suggestion.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN & HINDU VEDIC SYSTEM. (PROGENY – MAHENDIRAM)

How to conceive? Conceiving probabilities – when High or Low?  Do you know this is a real thing..?!  

by TRS Iyengar 

For the benefit of the Newly married couples (Hi Newlywed couples – congratulations!) I post this article, so that they get a better “Progeny” called Mahendram.  Prayer is the most effective one, one can safely state. Still the Newlywed couples needs some guidance in many ways that will brighten & shine in their life. Here goes: Now you can plan and chose the GENDER of your baby Boy or Girl by using the Chinese planner chart given at the bottom of this page, according to your needs. The Chinese calendar varies from the Universal one so the approximate correction given according to English Calendar.  This is only a suggestive method, though proven accuracy in maximum number of cases; the author does not hold any responsibility for any  result   arising out of it usage.

Quite apart from the following listings, Please consider to check; one should check his/her horoscope, whether there is a progeny is indicated. Secondly, to choose the wanted gender, in one’s birth natal chart, the fifth house, fifth house Lord’s placement in a friendly house other than 8th & 12th houses and Jupiter’s (Guru) aspect to the fifth house or its placement in a good position are to be considered. Only then the following selection method works fine! One should take into account these factors while practicing the following method for a fool-proof result! Otherwise it may not work perfectly, to one’s desire.

 For A Happy married life and to gain full mental peace and also to create a new Healthy generation aye give below few suggestions. Aye am sure, if strictly adhered to these, every follower would surely benefit a lot more and enjoy a full life span with developed mental happiness.

To know and to follow these, you must keep handy a panchangam known as Almanac so that you can easily identify the dates suitable to your birth stars and moon sign.

To begin with, know your and your life partner’s birth star and moon sign. The astrological calculations and planetary movements are to maximum extent help one to conceive. You can find it in your horoscope, or you can simply check with any online website that give these basic things at free of charge. You need to give/feed your correct time, date of birth and place of birth to get the accurate birth star and moon sign.

Avoid any new ventures on any of your birth star days. On these days you will be a bit of tense and the body level pressure is likely to be fluctuating than normal days.

Avoid all important decision makings on the Chandraashtama days i.e. when moon transits through the eighth house to your moon sign. These days are very bad, especially people born on the Krishna Paksha i.e. after full moon day but before New moon day.

Also avoid Pradamai thithi – i.e. the immediate next day to New moon & Full moon days, then Ashtami & Navami – i.e. 8th & 9th days from New moon and Full moon days.

So far said is for common and avoidable days to start or begin any new ventures. The next is most vital that it deals with your personal life.

For every married couple, who are planning to have a child, the aforesaid stars, thithi and Chandraashtama applies more so if one intends to go for a child. In addition to above days they will have to avoid Bharani and Krittika nakshatra days too. If the couple can avoid all above dates/days, they will get hardly six to eight days left in a month to have physical relationship among husband & wife. Added to these 3 to 5 days gone – whence the natural monthly cycle period passes. (This mostly occurs during the avoidable Chandraashtama or Janma nakshatra days only for the majority of women, I can safely state here).

When then one gets the opportune time to plan and get their issues/child, a better progeny that they can be proud of? Is there any suitable days recommended, especially for newly wedded couples? What if they enjoy life as they wish & like?

just give below the negative aspect in the first place. So that one can understand the importance of Thithi & Nakshatra (birth Star known as constellation) and find out a solution to fit there needs!

**A woman conceiving on a Amavasya (new moon day) or Pradamai (the immediate second day from new moon/or of a full moon day thithis, delivers a spastic/under developed child or mentally unsound child.

**Women who conceive on her Chandraashtama day delivers a child who will be weak, suffers frequent ailments and illness and suffers with memory loss in the young age it self.

** If conceived on the Ashtami or Navami thithis, then the child likely to grow with some arrogance, aggressive tendency and never learns to adjust to the surroundings/situations.

** If Amavasya day also happens to be the Chandraashtama day for women who conceived on that day, and if Surya Dasha/Buktis too runs then, the child born will, mostly probably be blind or with defective eye sight.

** In addition a couple has to avoid having sex, a day when the husband goes for hair cutting (this is to avoid barber itch – related deceases), when one takes oil bath (to avoid body over heating) and when any of them suffering from dysentery (to maintain normal kidney functioning).

** Also one has to avoid sex on the day when any one of them goes on fasting, feeling headache, or any other urinary infections.

** If a couple can avoid having sex on the aforesaid days and follows strictly and plans for a child, the conceiving probability will be high on the other days, thus giving birth to a good and healthy baby.

** The timing for this should be chosen between 3 and 5 AM on any suitable day. By this timing, food consumed earlier night is almost digested and the early morning freshness in the air/ozone layer is rekindling one’s body and mind. This timing called as “Brahma Muhurtham” in the Vedic scripts. 

Based on the Jaathaga Paarijaatham, an Indian Vedic script describing the astrological points and methodology, for a Progeny to honor,  I reproduce the options on conceiving a child/Gender selection. Readers will note the points and plan accordingly. It is generally and medically not advisable to have sex on the menses periods of a woman. From the time of menses, five full days to be avoided for relationship. If by any chance a woman conceives on these days, then the child is born with abnormalities and short-lived one.  Desirable results can be obtained by following the information, according to ones needs. It is almost a kind of natural cycle that enriches the Gender Selection of your choice. This way of calculations is still widely followed in Southern part of India and particularly from Kerala. To any woman, to conceive is a GIFT and those are the one who are blessed by the God.

Day 06  =  A boy who preserves his traditions and values.

Day 07  =  A girl born with private organ defects or impotency. 

Day 08  =  A boy born with manly organ defects or impotency. 

Day 09  =  A blessed girl with beauty and brain. 

Day 10  =  A healthy and sound boy.

Day 11  =  An Ugly girl with uneven shape and odd look. 

Day 12  =  A boy with knowledge, wisdom and kind. 

Day 13  =  A characterless girl with sinful acts. 

Day 14  =  A boy with noble character and wisdom. 

Day 15  =  A beautiful girl with good and generous qualities

Day 16  =  A boy with good qualities of a scholar, learned and practical.

You will notice, from the day of menses first five days are to be avoided from start of menses day and again days 7, 8, 11 and 13^th days for having physical relationship. To conceive an healthy and fittest child, this calculations to be kept in mind. From days 17^th to next menses course, it is called safe period whence the chances of conceiving are remote. (days to be Counted from first day of menses – starting day as day one and so on).

Safer sex is only having sex with one person and that is a  lifetime partner – Your Wife!. This will avoid a lot of problems in future and also will be the most healthiest practice one must follow. Sex with anyone and anytime would bring you an unhealthy trend, frequent emotional failure, mental fatigue and may even get you into Skin ailments, HIV/Aids or sexually transmitted diseases.  So be cautious in choosing your partner for your sex and sexual pleasures. And according to Srivaishnava siddhantham, Sex is only for a Progeny to serve the Lord Sriman Narayanan, and nothing more to it! Of course, the emotional bondage, love, care and caress that one feels with the touch and hug should encourage each other for a caring love. But one should not forget, that this is only with a legitimacy and within the bonded married life!

Human body in itself is a mystery!  No one can say for sure that one has  fully control and knowledge of one’s own body. Yes, now you can simply do this following test and find whether you are aware of this.

Now take a deep breath. Exhale the same slowly. Check with your pointing finger taking it near to your nose,  from which nostril the breathed air is coming out. From right or left nostril ? or from both side nostrils?

FOR MEN :

If the carbon is released through your right nostril then it is a good omen. When starting to do some thing new or when moving out of your home for some auspicious functions, check your breath is emitted from your right nostril. If it is from the left nostril or when the flow is from both nostrils then wait for few minutes to continue. The best timing for having sex with your partner is while the emission is from your right side nostril.

FOR WOMEN

When the emission of carbon is from your left nostril, then it is the best time for you to start your activities. Also while planning for a child and having sex see that the carbon emission is through your left nostril. If emitted from both nostrils or from the right one, then it is considered inauspicious.

Male / Female Infertility? Problem in Menstrual course Cycle?

An immediate & sure relief for so many defective organ failures.

Ayurvedic practice is the oldest one to judge the natural properties in a viable healthy way! From time immemorial, in India, the practice of using honey for years in medicine to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before sleeping, their problem will be solved. In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women who do not conceive and to strengthen the uterus have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body. After consuming Honey & Cinnamon, many people experienced a wonderful change and got healthy babies too! **This was clinically proved in the western countries and is recommended by many physicians in general.

(**Read this Article, at the bottom of this article, a table explaining about  HONEY & CINNAMON )

Now, for the Effective Prayer part:

As the saying goes, prayer is the most effective tool to achieve all goals. Here is another suggestion to conceive a baby; if done for consecutive 96 days, in addition to above suggestions, recite the following versus for at least 28 times a day minimum (for better results to recite it for 108 times daily in the morning time only). The following script is for getting a baby child, known as Sri Santhana Gopala japam which is recited with Havan or Homam known as Holy fire. Generally, many Srivaishnavites are performing this ritual with Homam to be blessed with a child. Those who cannot afford to perform the Homam known as Holy Fire offering, can simply recite this versus, just simply 108 or 28 times a day for a consecutive 96 days. (Excluding one’s menses period / Menstrual course of 4 full days). If both husband and wife together chant and pray daily, the phonetic vibration is said to activate the genetical productivity organs and stimulates the brain neurons to activate the needed strength and stamina!

Here below is the slokha & Mantram to invoke Lord Sri Vasudeva. This Santhana Gopala Japam / Mantram is part of the scripts, that’s sufficient to recite. For the convenience of readers, I give this in Sanskrit, rough translation in phonetic English and in Tamil too. I hope this is helpful to the needy.

{This prayer is to invoke Lord Sri Vasudeva, the Father of the Universe, to bless with a child, for who prays &  who perform the recital with Holy fire (Homam),  thus to continue with their family generation. The chanted verse in Holy fire (Homam) would count to 1008 times.}

Now once You achieved your goal, take a few steps to normal delivery – Avoid surgical method

It is gift of nature, that is bestowed upon any luckiest women. Indeed, those of the majority are proud of it, that they could reproduce. Pregnancy is a very precious and important event in a woman’s life. And also, at times, if proper care is not taken, then it is a too risky one too. What is gifted is to be preserved, cared and nurtured till one gains the fruit of the labor. It is true that the development of the baby is affected by several maternal, physical & as well as fetal factors.

The commonly known problems are listed as below: hypertension, diabetes, malnutrition, chronic renal disease etc. can cause harmful effects on the fetus. Similarly chromosomal anomalies in the embryo, and infections in the mother is known to cause several birth defects. Apart from afore stated causes, tension, fear, anxiety and chronic stress in pregnant would be mother can cause serious problems, resulting in the poor outcome. It is now well-recognized that stress causes psycho-neuro-immunological changes in the body level, leading to pregnancy complications; it can lead to irregular, in coordinate uterine contractions, that might cause distress ending in operative surgery. Hypersensitivity of the mother leads to intolerance to pain, requiring heavy dosage of painkillers, which are not safe for the unborn. Here, the side effects too pose serious problems in the future. There are three types of postulated mechanism that relatively lead to more complications. The three postulated mechanisms of transfer of maternal stress to the fetus are:-

1.  Reduction in blood flow to the uterus and fetus at increased levels of maternal stress.

2. Tran placental transport of maternal stress hormones.

3. Stress-induced release of placental CRH to the intra-uterine environment

The commonly known complications during pregnancy are excessive vomiting (hyper emesis gravid arum), intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and pre-term delivery.

If you take proper care, guidance and with confidence can carry on, sure one can get a healthy, strong and brilliant child. It is in pregnant woman’s will power, that will be put to test during the delivery time. If every one can withstand the paid and wait till a baby is born naturally, then sure the unwanted caesarian cases could reduce a maximum extent.

To cheer-up a pregnant women, Srivaishnava community used to do a lot more things; few such things are known as Poochoottal (floral decorations of the pregnant woman),  Valaikappu (Ornamental decorations with bangles of different types and color) and Seemantham (A ritualistic and elaborative function held during 7/8th month of pregnancy) are a few state.

“NOW, FOR THOSE WHO WANTS TO POSTPONE OR AVOID CONCEIVING.”

From time immemorial, Indian habitats used to depend on nature’s wealth more than any count. And they were very successful in getting things done of their choice. The way they used the herbals then and now is really a wonder that they could pin point the value of each and every herbs that they found on the earth!

Tulsi, (Sacred or Holy Basil or Osmium Basilicum) a commonly available plant has a very high rich medicinal value. For normal cold and cough it is used as a home remedy, even to treat a new born child. It has no side effects. Thulsi (Tulsi) is a non poisonous and very commonly available throughout India. There are two verities; one black Tulsi and the other white. Black variety is generally used for medicinal purposes and the white one is used at all Temples and prayer halls for distribution. For effective natural contraceptive, Black Thulsi leaves are consumed raw. Minimum intake of twenty to twenty five Tulsi (Thulsi) leaves a day, gives a very effective contraception.

For any one who wants to postpone conceiving, they have to intake at least 20 Tulsi  (Thulasi) leaves every day in the morning. If the couples takes this for consecutive 3 to 4 months, that too regularly without any interval, then the conceiving probability is almost reduced or NIL. To gain more effectiveness, one has to take it in the empty stomach. If continued for 6 months, then at least for next 12 to 18 months a woman never conceives.

This is a natural contraceptive available and very cost effective. Further more there is no risk of any side effects or slow poisoning. In addition, the essence of this plant Tulsi (Thulsi, Tulsi  or Holy Basil) increases the blood circulation and also function as an antibiotic, in a natural way!

Hence I strongly recommend this method for those who want to plan their family way of life, without using the chemical combinations and oral pills. There are many more suggestions given in the Indian Scripts about this subject. Any one who needs information on these may contact me for details.

Now for the practical purposes I just give below the best period for a women to conceive. If you are planning for a child and to conceive in a very positive way, apart from the above notes, you must follow the guidance of the Medically Proven methods also. From the 7th day of a women’s menstrual course till the 15th day the chances are very bright for conceiving.

From the 15th to 22nd day from one’s MC period, the chances are very lean and later till the next cycle course it is called safe period when 99% chances of not conceiving. For child birth and normal delivery, a woman must be active all along from the day of conceiving and to take more calcium in her daily food. This prevents miscarriage and give good strength and vigor to the women and the conceived child too. Please read the article on Seemandham in the other page of this site, where care to be taken during pregnancy is listed.

This is not concluded. You will get more with supportive contents. Please visit again to check.

And it is more valuable to show what is inside a person’s soul!”

Simple & Easy Beauty and Home tips for women

by TRS Iyengar

A pure and natural way to get your look smarter, shining face; and your home look that will reflect your inner feelings and beauty. These tips are just for every home & women which is cost effective and can be availed from your day to day handlings. This also avoid chemical mixed beauty items that are mostly sold at high prices and if it is a branded one, then needless to say it would pinch your purse too! Oh, does Srivaishnava recommend these sort of outer beauty? Yes, they did in those olden days, using only all natural combinations, to prove they are more beautiful than they are born! And more so, I need to take care of present day generation and give them a sort of value that were once cherished and practiced in those golden yester years! These tips are a mixture from Old & New generation additions and is given by an experienced Srivaishnava Lady. Just for the sake of privacy, she intend not to publicize her name. No doubt, I did play a little by adding a few more tips of modern time, that’s with my own experience 🙂 . Simple, easy and with easily available items are the special highlights of these tips and sure there is no side effects or damages because of mostly all the ingredients are of natural one. After you try these, you may send in your comments or leave your comments and criticism in the Guest-book.  

***Little about Apple cider vinegar

It has a tonic action, that promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin.

It is antiseptic, preventing viruses, bacteria & trigger infection.

It dissolves excessive fatty deposits at the surface of the skin.

It is essential to use cider vinegar.

For face:-

1/2  Cored Apple

2tbsp  Honey

1/2 tsp sage

How to.. Pulse ingredients in a blender /processor, keep in the refrigerator for 10 min.

Clean the face and apply, pat the cream on face, until the mixture feels sticky, and very sticky. this brings you the blood to the surface of the skin, and making it glow.

Rinse with warm water.

TO REDUCE WRINKLES & Inflammation :-

Grate unripe apple, apply to skin.

Allow the pulp to remain on skin for 10-20 min. Rinse.

Moisturizing honey mask:- 2tbsp honey, 2tbsp milk/cream

Make a fine paste & apply smoothly on the face, remain for 10 min. ,rinse.

**To remove the blotches. The lemon works as a bleaching agent:

Lemon juice                  1/2sqeezed      

Leave over night for best results, Or if you need immediately, apply for 12-15 minutes, and spray warm water on your face to rinse.

*1 apple & 1tbsp honey-combine in a blender/processor, make a fine smoothly paste (drain), apply to face and remain for 15 min, rinse!

ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENT:-

1-very ripe tomato

5 oz whole milk

Bottled/spring water.

Process the tomato in blender, strain & discard the pulp.

Mix equal amount of milk, store o=in the refrigerator for 10 min.

apply to the face with cotton pad ,once/twice a day. Leave for 10 min.

Rinse with bottled water, pat dry.

Shell life:-6-7 hours.

TIPS FOR HAIR:-

**At least apply once a week with apple cider vinegar, after taking head bath for shining & leafy hair.

**For good blood circulation to the roots of the hair. try this..

Apply massage) coconut oil at least twice a week.

The root hairs get humidity in the hair.

**For shiny hair.. 

1tsp honey

1 fresh lemon juice

1/4 warm water

After finishing shampooing, simply pour through hair, let it dry!

Note:-No need to rinse!! 

**Henna,lemonjuice(11/2tbsp),thick curd/beat well apply for 40min.Shapooing after that.

**2tbsp-honey, henna, ripe & crushed banana.

Make a fine paste and coat to the hair top to bottom, to get silky & life hair), allow to sit for 40 minutes, shampooing later.

**Beat 1 cup of curd/yogurt, add henna, 1/2 lemon juice, tea/coffee decoction. Mix well and allow to keep overnight.

Apply to the hair on the next day, cover with a plastic cover and let it work for 35-40 min. Shampoo it & rinse well.

Do it once a month.

**1-Banana, 1/4cupHoney, Henna3 tbsp:- Mix them together to a smooth paste and apply to the hair, let it dry. leave it for 20-25 min. Rinse well.

**To have smooth hair edges, massage oil for 20-30 minutes at least once a week. It gives life to the hair.

** Apply the juice of beetroot to the hair, wait for ten minutes and rinse with warm water.!

**Buttermilk is a good face mask to get excellent result.

**to get rid of dandruff apply the mixture of buttermilk (thin curd) and fenugreek powder.

Make it into smooth paste and apply, allow to stay for 1 hour then rinse it well.

**Those who want to be “fat” , eat more bananas.

To avoid wrinkles rub the slice of potato to the face, keep for 15 min. and rinse with warm water.

**The another way for the wrinkles. After removing the juice from lemon slices, dry them totally in the sun, powder it, add green gram powder (mungdal), milk.

Make a smooth paste, and apply to the face, keep it for 1 hour. Rinse with warm water.

**Apply radish juice, curd mixture to the face

let it work for 20min. rinse it with warm water.

Try this treatment for 15 days and see the results! It removes the scratches, spots left from the pimples).

t**For the shiny skin & remembrance powder:- cinnamon powder,½tsp honey, mix and take into the stomach before you sleep (nights).

**For the pimple problem:-Pinch cinnamon powder & 4drops of lemon juice, mix into paste and apply to the face evenly. Use this method for 2 weeks.

**Make a paste with carrots & 1/4th tomato, apply to the face, allow to dry, rinse it. You can get soft skin.

**For dark rings around eyes, wrinkles on face, ends of lips & downside nose:- Apply olive oil and give a massage for 15 min.  It can reduce the problem.

**apply almond paste, honey mixture (paste) to the face, let it work out for 15 minutes. Rinse it out.

**To get relief with the headache (even severe):- Dip the cotton in the beetroot juice and keep it in the ears.

 For fatty & bulgy skin under eyes:- Keep the tea bags in the refrigerator for few minutes, and place them on eyes (close them), take rest for 10 min.

**For silky hair:- Mix  after cleaning rice (do not throw them) water and gram flour (besan) to the hair, allow to work for few minutes and wash clearly. 

**To get thick &black hair:-soak fenugreek seeds in water, and paste them (remove water).

Mix in mehandi and coconut oil. Apply to the hair. Let it work for 5-6hours(apply night and wash with shampoo on the next day.

**For severe headaches (migraine) use pineapple + lemon juice with ice cubes.

**For shiny skin: Paste a Ripe tomato, apply to face, let it work for 10 min. Wash with plain water.

**Rub “keeraikai”  (green cucumber)” to the face and stay for 10 min,rinse it out.

**Cucumber             1/2 peeled

Yogurt                 1tbsp

Mix well and apply to the face, leave about 20 minutes, wipe with a damp cloth.

**Mash avacodo(1/2) and apply on the face, let it sit for 18 minutes, wipe with a damp napkin.

**Honey        1tbsp

Ground almonds  2tbsp

Pressed lemon    1/2tsp

Rub gently on face. Rinse with warm water.

**Banana(1/2), sour cream (2tbsp), honey (1tbsp), apply for 15 min, and wipe off with a damp cloth.

**A good combination for the dry skin, milk (2tsp), Honey (2tbsp), apply and stay it for 10 min/wipe it.

**Mix 1/2 grated apple, 5 tbsp honey, make a face mask to sit for 10-12 min. Wash with cold water.

**Avocado is a fantastic moisturizer by nature. Mash its flesh into a creamy texture, massage to the face, neck. Leave it for 12 min, and rinse it off.

**Apply rosewater, glycerin and lemon juice to the face with cotton, stay for 15 min and rinse.

**1cup yogurt, lemon juice (tsp), apply and stay for 10 min. Rinse with warm water.

**Water melon is a good mask for face, specially it needs in summertime.

watermelon bit, tomato slice, paste it apply as pack to face, after 15 minutes, clean it.

**paste of tamarind also helps. Try this. Apply to the face as mask, clean after 15 min.

Tamarind is antiseptic, has astringent nature).

Apply the combination of ripe banana & honey paste to the face as mask, rinse after 15 min.

**Orange yogurt mask

1 tsp yogurt
Juice of ¼ of an orange
Mix them well and smooth onto face. Leave on for five minutes and rinse. The mask adds a glow and gets rid of tiredness.

**Banana wrinkle remover

Mash ¼ banana until smooth. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Gently pat dry. use this regularly to get rid of wrinkles.

**Milk & tomato cleanser

1 ripe tomato
1 cup milk
Water
Puree the tomato. Strain and discard the pulp. Add the tomato juice to milk. Bottle and refrigerate. Apply to the face and neck, using cotton pads, once or twice a day. Leave on for 10 minutes, rinse with water and pat dry. This cleanses the skin and suits those with oily and combination skin types.

**Cucumber astringent

Coarsely chop ½ a cucumber, peeled, and place in a blender. Blend until smooth. Apply to face and allow to stay on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat face dry.

**Lemon skin wash

1 cup lemon juice
Cinnamon or rose petals 2 tablespoons
olive oil ¼ cup milk Water Mix ingredients well and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes. You can also use it for a bath wash. It rejuvenates the skin and makes it soft and glowing.

Everyone knows how good fruits are for the skin, but before you go and mash the next banana or peach on your face, figure out what fruit suits your skin.

**For normal skin:
Use avocado, banana, cantaloupe, grape, peach, nectarine.

**For dry skin:
Try apple, avocado, banana, carrot, pear, melon or nectarine.
For oily skin:
Pear, strawberry or tomato.

**For greasy& oily skin:-

Try with tomato paste (juice), apply to the face and allow to dry it. Wash with warm water.

**For tired face (skin):-

Boil 1 liter water and add 100gms cabbage, boil well. Use that water to clean the face.

**For strong & cleaned nails:-

In a wide bowl add lemon juice & warm water.

Dip your hands (nails should be completely in the water) for 12-15min.Remove & slightly press with a smooth towel. Apply hand cream if you want.

For mature skin:
Choose apple, avocado, grape or lemon.

You can get silky smooth skin.

**This is a good face mask my family women used;  Boil oats meal to soft paste, apply with honey pack.  Clean with warm water.

**To remove the scratches and shiny skin rub with the potato slices to the face.

**To stay long standing make-up, before you apply the moisturize cream, rub the whole face with a ice cube!

**To help the joint pains:-after removing the orange, Clementon and lemons do not throw them. Squeeze them on the joints (knees etc) and give massage OR rub them directly. It is natural one without any side effects.

**Get fruity to peel off wrinkles

**Healthy skin is aided by a good intake of fruit and vegetables.

In fact recent research even proved that pomegranate is a promising agent against skin cancer. 

**After all the secret to great skin is not make-up but a good dose of fruit.

Common Salt – Some Easy Home tips.

Common Salt – Methods for different usages.

Boiling Water – Salt added to water makes the water boil at a higher temperature, thus reducing cooking time. (It does not make the water boil faster.)

Washing greens & spinach – If spinach is washed in salted water, repeated cleanings will not be necessary.

Preventing sugaring – A little salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.

Crisping salads – Salting salads immediately before serving will keep them crisp.

Improving boiled potatoes – Boiled potatoes will be given a fine, mealy texture by sprinkling with salt after draining, then returning them to the pan and shaking them back and forth quickly to get rid of the excess moisture.

Cleaning greasy pans – The greasiest iron pan will wash easily if you put a little salt in it and wipe with paper.

Cleaning stained cups – Rubbing with salt will remove stubborn tea or coffee stains from cups.

Cleaning ovens – Salt and cinnamon take the “burned food” odor away from ovens and stove burners. Sprinkle spills while oven and burners are still hot; when dry, remove the salted spots with a stiff brush or cloth.

Cleaning refrigerators – Salt and soda water will clean and sweeten the inside of your refrigerator. It won’t scratch enamel either.
Extinguishing grease fires – Salt tossed on a grease fire on the stove or in the oven will smother flames. Never use water; it will only spatter the burning grease.

Improving coffee – A pinch of salt in coffee will enhance the flavor and remove the bitterness of over-cooked coffee.

Cleaning tarnished silverware – Rub tarnish with salt before washing.
Cleaning copper pans – Remove stains on copper pans by salting area and scouring with a cloth soaked in vinegar.

Cleaning coffee pots – Remove bitterness from percolators and other coffee pots by filling with water, adding four tablespoons of salt and percolating or boiling as usual.

Removing onion odors from hands – Rub fingers with salt moistened with vinegar.

“Sweetening” containers – Salt can “sweeten” and deodorize thermos bottles and jugs, decanters and other closed containers.
Cleaning sink drains – Pour a strong salt brine down the kitchen sink drain regularly to eliminate odors and keep grease from building up.
Brightening cutting boards – After washing them with soap and

water, rub bread and cutting boards with a damp cloth dipped in salt; the boards will be lighter and brighter.

Fixing oversalted soups – If soup has been oversalted, cut up a raw potato or two and drop into the soup. The potato will absorb the salt.
Preventing food from sticking – Rub a pancake griddle with a small bag of salt to prevent sticking and smoking. Sprinkle a little salt in the skillet before frying fish to prevent the fish from sticking. Sprinkle salt on washed skillets, waffle iron plates or griddles, heat in a warm oven, dust off salt; when they are next used, foods will not stick.

Preventing mold – To prevent mold on cheese, wrap it in a cloth dampened with saltwater before refrigerating.

Whipping cream – By adding a pinch of salt, cream will whip better.
Keeping milk fresh – Adding a pinch of salt to milk will keep it fresh longer.

Setting gelatin – To set gelatin salads and desserts quickly, place over ice that has been sprinkled with salt.

Cleaning:
Cleaning brass – Mix equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar to make a paste, rub the paste on the brass item, leave on for an hour or so, then clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.

Cleaning wicker – To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow to dry in the sun.

Cleaning grease spots on rugs – Some grease spots can be removed with a solution of one part salt and four parts alcohol and rubbing hard but carefully to avoid damage to the nap.

Extending broom life – New brooms will wear longer if soaked in hot saltwater before they are first used.

Removing rings from tables – White rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot with your fingers, letting it stand an hour or two, then wiping it off.

Restoring sponges – Give sponges new life by soaking them in cold saltwater after they are washed.

Settling suds – If a washing machine bubbles over from too many suds, sprinkle salt on the suds to reduce them.

Brightening colors – Wash colored curtains or washable fiber rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colors. Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.

Removing perspiration stains – Add four tablespoons of salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.

Brightening yellowed cottons or linens – Boil the yellowed items for one hour in a salt and baking soda solution

Removing blood stains – Soak the stained clothing or other cloth item in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. (Use only on cotton, linen or other natural fibers that can take high heat.)

Removing mildew or rust stains – Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; and finally, rinse and dry.

Color-matching nylons – Good nylons that don’t have a match can be made the same color by boiling them a few minutes in a pan of lightly salted water.

Fixing sticking iron – Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.

Common Salt – For Health & Beauty!

Gargling – Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water for use as a gargle for sore throats.

Cleaning teeth – Mix one part salt to two parts baking soda after pulverizing the salt in a blender or rolling it on a kitchen board with a tumbler before mixing. It whitens teeth, helps remove plaque and it is healthy for the gums.

Washing mouth – Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda as a mouth wash that sweetens the breath.

Bathing eyes – Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a pint of water and use the solution to bathe tired eyes.

Reducing eye puffiness – Mix one teaspoon of salt in a pint of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution on the puffy areas.
Relieving tired feet – Soak aching feet in warm water to which a handful of salt has been added. Rinse in cool water.

Relieving bee stings – If stung, immediately wet the spot and cover with salt to relieve the pain.

Treating mosquito and chigger bites – Soak in saltwater, then apply a mixture of lard and salt.

Treating poison ivy – Soaking the exposed part in hot saltwater helps hasten the end to poison ivy irritation.

Relieving fatigue – Soak relaxed for at least ten minutes in a tub of water into which several handfuls of salt has been placed.

Removing dry skin – After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry salt. It removes dead skin particles and aids the circulation.
Applying facial – For a stimulating facial, mix equal parts of salt and olive oil and gently massage the face and throat with long upward and inward strokes. Remove mixture after five minutes and wash face.
Removing tattoos -CAUTION- This is a medical procedure that can be done only by a physician. It is called salabrasion and requires several treatments by rubbing salt on the tattoo. Healing is required between treatments, but there is virtually no scarring.

Common Salt – For other General usage

Extinguishing grease fires – Keep a box of salt handy at your stove and oven and if a grease fire flares up, cover the flames with salt. Do not use water on grease fires; it will splatter the burning grease. Also a handful of salt thrown on flames from meat dripping in barbecue grills will reduce the flames and deaden the smoke without cooling the coals as water does.

Drip-proofing candles – Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well. When burned they will not drip.
Removing soot – Occasionally throw a handful of salt on the flames in your fireplace; it will help loosen soot from the chimney and salt makes a bright yellow flame.

Cleaning fish tanks – Rub the inside of fish tanks with salt to remove hard water deposits, then rinse well before returning the fish to the tank. Use only plain, not iodized, salt.

Invigorating goldfish – Occasionally add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of fresh water at room temperature and put your goldfish in for about 15 minutes. Then return them to their tank. The salt swim makes them healthier.

Cleaning flower vases – To remove deposits caused by flowers and water, rub with salt; if you cannot reach the deposits to rub them, put a strong salt solution in the vase and shake, then wash the vase with soap and water.

Keeping cut flowers fresh – A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer.

Holding artificial flowers – Artificial flowers can be held in an artistic arrangement by pouring salt into the container, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt will solidify as it dries and hold the flowers in place.

Keeping patios weed-free – If weeds or unwanted grass come up between patio bricks or blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.

Killing poison ivy – Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer.

Keeping windows frost-free – Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and rub dry; the windows will not frost up in sub-freezing weather. Rubbing a small cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened on your car’s windshield will keep snow and ice from collecting.

Deicing sidewalks and driveways – Lightly sprinkling rock salt on walks and driveways will keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easy removal. Don’t overdo it; use the salt wisely, to avoid damage to grass and ornamentals.

Deodorizing shoes – Sprinkling a little salt in canvas shoes occasionally will take up the moisture and help remove odors.

BANANA:

A great fruit with having vitamins those are useful to the healthy body. It is a cheap fruit, available for every standard. Gives more energy to the body. Gives activity to the brain. There is no cholesterol or fiber in banana fruit. Have more quantities of vitamin B and vitamin C. Salt percentage is low, so no way to Blood Pressure!

For shining brown leather shoes:- Rub often with banana peel, see the difference.

To remove the dirt & stains on the fridge:- Rub with toothpaste first, clean with soap water later.

To get bathroom tiles shining:-

Soak banana peel in a ½ bucket of water, over night. Next day remove them, and use the water to clean the tiles and see the result!

TRS Iyengar

INGREDIENTS

Bengal Gram 100 gms
Tur Gram 100 gms
Fenugreek 50 gms 
Jeera 50 gms 
Black pepper .50 gms 
Dhania 150 gms 
Red chillies 150 gms
Mustard 20 gms 
Turmeric 50 gms
Cooking oil 2 Tablespoon

(Salt to tase is to be added only while preparing the Rasam)

Method:

In the frying pan, first dry roast, Fenugreek, Jeera and Mustard. Roast till Fenugreek 
becomes brown and mustard starts popping. Remove from heating and let it cool. 

Now add oil in the pan first, put Black pepper. Once black pepper starts bursting, 
add chillies and Dhania and Turmeric roots made into small pieces. toast and turn till it equally fried.

When chillies assume a fine shine on the surface, immediately add curry leaves. 
Turn three four times and remove it from the pan and immediately spread on a paper sheet or cloth. 
Once the mixture becomes cold, add Hing (Asafoetida) and put into the mixie for grinding it to powder. Keep it in a air-
tight jar or bottle. Shelf life is for 45 days maximum.

The above is just a ready-made Rasam Powder that can be used for 20 days to one month for a family of four. One heap 
teaspoon is sufficient to make Rasam for 4 of a family. You can add according to your needs.

Note: Keep the heat to sim or minimum to avoid the ingredients getting blackened. Attend to it and toast/mix contineously.

Now – to prepare the Rasam with above ready-made powder, please use the following method:

Take either two tomattoes or 20 gms of Tamarind, put it into to 300 ml of water and boil it. Once in the boiling stage, mix the 
Ready-made Iyengar Rasam Powder. Add a drop or two Asafeotida liquid or if it is powder, the add only one pint of it. Add salt
to tase (only when the salt is added to required proposition, you’ll get the fine aroma.) Allow it to boil till you get a fine aroma 
of Rasam. Put one spring leaves of Curry leaves, Currinder Leaves of two or three plucks,

Take it out of stove, now take a teaspoon of Gingili Oil, boil it, add the mustard seeds in the oil, let it pop-up and settle; then add
this oil into the prepared Rasam and cover it with a plate. 

Iyengar’s Sambar Powder – Other method for Larger usage or longer storage.

Tur Dal – 1/2 Kg.

Bengal Gram – 250 gms

Red Chillies – 1/2 Kg

Dhaniya – 1/2 Kg.

Turmeric Roots – 10 pcs

You can get the above mixed and ground at any flour mill. Do not powder it too nice but a little more crushed would suffice. Leave this for a while in the open and then put it in bottle/tin and keep the lid tightly closed. This Sambar powder can be used for a time over 45 days to two months for a family of 4 members, if used daily. For larger gatherings and get together preparations, this would be handy to use. While preparing the sambar, please add salt to tase and Asafeodita (Hing known in Tamil as perungayam).. Add cut egetables in little quantities while boiling the Sambar proposition. This simply superb Sambar is very tasty with fine odour for your taste.

Paruppu Kozhambu (Sambar)

 What is sambar?

  Sambar is a thick liquid item, which optionally has little amount of cut vegetables added to is. Sambar can   be used as side dish for mixed rice like curd rice 

  or even for tiffin items like Chappathi, bread etc. 

 
(Recipe Courtesy: Mrs. Santha Sriraghavan)

Preparatory Step: (for serving 2 persons)

Keep toor dhal (Bengal gram) with little turmeric powder mixed, in cooker. Once it gets cooked, add 2 or 3 ladles of the cooked toor dhal to the boiling sambar during step 7.


Steps/To-do:

  1. Soak tamarind (of the size of a lemon)
  2. If you want to add any vegetables, cut them & keep them ready.
  3. In frying pan, pour cooking oil (quantity:little).
  4. Put mustard, 1/2 spoon fenugreek, asafoetida (little), cut vegetables (if vegetable is the 'thaan'), karivepilai (curry leaves), turmeric powder, chilly

     powder & sambar powder (see preparatory steps for sambar powder below). Fry for sometime.

  5. Soak tamarind in water in a bowl & drain the water ('puli jalam') into a vessel.
  6. Add salt & fried mixture (from step4) into puli jalam (Tamarind juice).
  7. Boil the liquid of step 6.
  8. After 5 to 7 mins of boiling, pour a mixture of flour (any flour like rice flour,  wheat flour, etc) + water into the boiling sambar.
 9. boil for 2 mins & there, your paruppu sambar is ready to eat! enjoy!
 

Preparatory steps for Sambar powder:

 If sambar powder isn't readily available from shop, the following preparation is to  be made:
 a. Take the following:
     coriander powder (3 spoons)
     channa dhal (1 & 1/2 teaspoon)
     dry red chillies (5 nos.)
    fenugreek (1/4 spoon)
 b. Pour oil in frying pan & heat it. Put the above ingredients in pan & fry it till they turn brown.
 c. Grind them in mixer. Add coconut pieces if available & grind that too.
 d. The above preparation is to be added instead of sambar powder.

How to prepare Iyengar Vathal Kuzhambu / Vatha Kuzhambu:

By TRS Iyengar

Ingredients: (Choose only any one from the list : Manathakkali vattal, Sundaikkai, or fried Pakarkai – Karela)

Dry Manathakkali Vathal – 1 fistful
Tamarind lemon sized ball
Turmeric powder 1/2 spoon
Chili powder 1 spoon
Jaggery about 25 gms
Rice flour 1-2 spoons(its only to make the item into thicken)
Sesame (gingily) oil 1/2 cup.

For Seasoning:

Mustard seeds 4 Spoons
Curry leaves 1 large bowlful
Asafoetida 2 spoons
Chana dal 1 cup (Equal to one table spoon)
Urad dal 1 Half Table spoon
Dry red chilies 6 numbers
Peppercorns 4
Fenugreek 1/4 spoon
Sesame oil few spoons.

To Be Fried Each Separately in Little Oil and Wet-Ground Togather to Thick Paste:(Vatha Kuzhambu masala):

Coriander seeds 2 spoons
Chana dal 1 spoon
Curry leaves 1 twig
Fenugreek seeds 1 spoon
Dry red chilies 6
Asafoetida 1/2 spoon
Sesmae oil few spoons.
Wet Grind to thick batter like consistency and set aside!

Method:

Fry the ‘vatha kuzhambu masala’ as listed above ingredients first. Each seperately in little oil, till they turn to golden to reddish color. Infact very aromatic! Then wet-grind them togather, using very limited water. Set this masala aside.

In a non-reactive bowl, soak tamarind with 1-2 cups of luke warm water for 1-2 hours. In a blender, run this along with the same soaked water and extract a thick tamarind milk. Set aside.

In a heavy bottomed non-stick pan,add few spoons of oil. Fry the dry vathal (either one ‘manathakkali/ sundaikkai). Fry them till they turn to dark brown to black, Set aside.

In a the same pan, heat remaining oil. Now add thick tamarind milk, salt, turmeric powder, jaggery, rice flour and chili powder. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 12-15 minutes.

When the tamarind’s raw odour leaves the pan and it starts to consolidate; add ‘vatha kuzhambu masala’ and ‘fried vathal’! Bring this to boil. Again switch to medium heat and cook without lid. Maybe till the raw odour of wet-ground paste is gone. The gravy should really thicken now. Wait till oil shows up on sides and top. Then remove from heat.

In a seperate pan, heat oil, add the tempering spices one by one and wait till they pop. Now run this seasoning over the gravy made above. Always season your gravy at last, like a final touch…it makes it really aromatic!!!

Now Iyengar speciality Vathal kuzhambu is read to serve warm with plain steamed rice. A spoon full of gingili oil would go with it. Enjoy the ” Iyengar Vathal Kuzhambu” a speciality of Srivaishnavas!

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I am thankful to Ms. Priyanka GES for sending in above Iyengar Reciepe items from Mrs. Santha Sriraghavan.

NOTE from the webmaster: A separate page listing a detailed glossary/list of vegetables, lentils, fruits, spices and other cooking items, can be had from this page (Glossory). This include the names in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English, for the convenience of visitors. After having your tasty buds excited, please forget not to put your comments in the Guest Book.  You can expect more Iyengar cooking recipes in the near future.  Enjoy!!

TRS Iyengar

(Recipe courtesy: Mrs. Santha Sriraghavan) (serving 2 persons) INGREDIENTS 1. Raw rice: quantity – 1 big tumbler 2. moong dhal (green gram): 1 ladle 3. Pepper: 1/2 spoon 4. Jeeragam/fenugreek: 1/2 spoon 5. Ginger: 1 piece 6. Cashew nut: 4 nos. 7. Ghee: 1 ladle 8. Salt: 1/2 spoon 9. asafoetida powde (little) PREPARATION METHOD: 1. Mix rice, (necessary amount) salt & dhal. Add 1 & 1/2 tumbler

(the same tumbler with which you had measured rice) of water to it & keep in cooker.>
2. Put ghee in frying pan. Add pepper, cashew nut (add cashew nut at the last when 
you are frying), asafoetida powder & jeeragam/fenugreek to it & fry it for sometime.
Add this to the rice mixture that was cooked in cooker. And there you are ready to 
gulp the tasty pongal!

_____________________________________________________________

Iyengar Puliyodarai

by TRS Iyengar

Ingredients: (This serves for 8 persons approx.)
Tamarind 100 gms
Red chills  20 gms
Bengal gram (Chana Del/Kadalai paruppu) 25 gms
Black Gram (uLutham paruppu) 15 grms
Mustard seeds (kadugu) 1 tea spoon
Asafeodita ) Hing, 5 gms 

Salt to your taste
Turmeric Powder (Haldi powder/manjal podi) 1tea spoon
Gingly oil (Til oil – Nallennai)  200gms
Coriander seeds (Dhania) 1 tb spoon
Jeerakam 1/2 tea spoon
Fenugreek seeds (Vendayam) 1/2 tea spoon

Ground nuts & or Cashew – 50 grams (if both used, then 25 grams each)
curry leaves – 2 bunch

Preparation Method:

Soak Tamarind in small quantity of water for an hour or so. Make out the tamarind into thick pulp level. Keep aside. Fry the Fenugreek seeds separately into golden color, without oil and make it as nice powder; keep this too to add in the last.

Now, fry the Chilies, Grams,  groundnuts, in pure gingili oil to golden color, then add the turmeric powder &  mustard seeds at last. Once you got these into golden color, now add the tamarind pulp and stir well in minimum heating. Now add the curry leaves, Asafeodita (Hing – perungayam) and salt. once you get it like a paste or creamy shape, (the more it is solid, the less you can use it for mix in rice),  take it out of stove and let it cool. Add the Fenugreek powder at the last and mix it well. By now, you got the the aroma of Iyengar Puliyodarai, a mouth watering smell floats around the kitchen/home!

Now, you got the best of best Iyengar Puliyodarai (Pulihora) or Puliyodharai that is prepared and served in most of the Srivaishnavites’ Temple and functions.

Note:This should be prepared only in gingili oil.  First, pour 1 tablespoon full of gingili oil in the cooked rice; then mix the above preparation of Puliyadari Mix and spread it evenly; Now, Fried and powdered Fenugreek may be added after mixing the preparation in rice to get added aroma. Shelf life for 15 days. (You can even add the powder of fried ground nuts over the rice to get more tastier smell!)

Warning: This cooked Item contain highest cholesterol proposition, hence persons with high cholesterol level to avoid eating this too much.

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Traditional Iyengar Dahiannam Recipe – (Dodyonam aka Dahi Bath)

How to Prepare Iyengar Dahi annam known as Curd rice?

by TRS Iyengar

Rice: 200 gms

Green or Red Chillies: 4 – cut into pieces

Black gram: one Teaspoon heap (Ulutham paruppu in Tamil, Urid Dal in Hindhi)

Bengal gram: two teaspoon heap (Kadalai Paruppu in Tamil, Chana Dal in Hindhi)

Curry Leaves: about 20 leaves (Kariveppilai in Tamil, curry patha in Hindhi)

Mustard seeds: Half teaspoon (Kadugu in Tamil, Rai in Hindhi)

Asafoetida: one pinch (Perungayam in Tamil, Hing in Hindi)

Gingili oil: One table spoon

Salt: to taste

Milk: 100 ml

Curd: 200 gms

Ginger: one piece – only if one likes (At times, during seasons, the route of Mango-ginger known as “Maa-Inji, is available. If this mango taste ginger is cut into smaller pieces and mixed into the cooked rice then the taste would be very rich with a fine flavour and aroma!)

First, fry in gingili oil the black gram & Bengal gram to golden color; now add the chili pieces, mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafetida.  while hot, immediately pour these fried items to the curd and add salt. Now you’ll get the fine aroma of Iyengar Dodyonam aka Dahi bath! Leave this for few minutes and then mix into the cooked rice. The rice absorbs it and becomes somewhat tight. Now add the boiled milk and mix it together. You got the tasty Iyengar Dahi annam (Curd Rice) as prepared in the Srivaishnava Temples. This menu serves for four persons.

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Milagu Orai (Peper bath)

Ingredients:

1. Cooked Rice  – 5 Cups

2. Peper (Milagu) – 3 Tea spoon

3. Red Chillie  – 2 Nos

4. Bengal Gram (Channa Dhal – Kadalai Paruppu) – 1 Tea spoon

5. Black Gram (Udid Dhal – Ulutham Paruppu) – ½ Tea spoon

6. Asfoetida powder (Perungaayam) – a pint – just little

7. Musturd  (Kadugu) – ¼ spoon

8. Seasame (gingli) oil – 2 spoon 

Method of cooking:

Pour two teaspoon of seasame oil (Gingili oil – NalleNNai) in a pan and heat with low flame. 

After few minutes of heating, put red chillies, Chanadal, Udid dhal and fry till it gets golden colour and now add the pepper into the pan and fry it.

Grind these but not so nice powder and it should be some what rough and to the size of Rawa. 

Mix this powder with cooked rice.  

Fry mustard and asfoetida powder with little oil for 3 seconds and mix this also with that rice.

Now delicious  Milagu Orai is  ready for serving during rainy season.

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More menus to appear soon

Here are the list of names for South Indian recipe/cooking items in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil & Telugu. More names along with the missing names too will be added soon.

Though some of the items listed below are not used by Srivaishnavites and Jain community, I give below the names for other general visitors to know the names in other languages.

Popular South Indian Dishes – Tamil Names

Paruppu – Dal: Any kind of legume–beans, peas, or lentils
Dosai – Dosa: Crispy, crepe-like southern Indian specialty filled with potatoes or vegetables
Idli – Steam cooked cakes made of Rice flour & Black gram 

Nei – Ghee: Clarified butter
Morr – Lassi: A refreshing, creamy yogurt drink that can be plain, sweet or salty
Pakoda – Pakora: Fritter dipped in a spicy chickpea batter; can be made with vegetables
Appalam, Pappadum: Spicy lentil wafers
Poori: Airy, deep-fried bread
Rasam: A thin, spicy broth
Keerai Koottu – Saag: Spinach, but can also refer to other greens
Sambar: An extremely spicy thick liquid broth popular in southern India
Payasam – Made of Milk, Sugar & cooked rice – a sweet item

Kadambam – made of Mixed vegetable, cooked rice and spices.

Popular Iyengar dishes

Puliyodarai (Pulihora), Puliyorai (Puliyotharai)

Kadambam

Akkaravadisal

Bagaalabaad

Dahiyannam, Dodhyonam

Cooked Rice         200 gm

Ghee                     3 tablespoon

Cashew                 25 grams

Raisins                   1 tablespoon

Milk                       400 ml

Coconut milk          100 ml

Elaichi                   as required

Sugar or Jaggery    150 gm or as per taste.

Keep aside the cooked rice.

Boil milk and sugar OR jaggery. After 1 boil add the cooked rice.

Cook till done. Switch off.

Add coconut milk now and stir well.

Fry Cashew and raisin, elaichi in remaining ghee.

Add this to boiling mixture.

Tips:

Saffron can be added to this. Dissolve saffron threads in warm milk and soak for 10 min. before adding to kannamudhu.

Recipes by Mrs. Prabha Iyengar,  Dallas, Texas

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Thirukannamudhu (another method)

Received following recipe from Mr. Radhakrishnan Srinivasan (itiradha2000 dot yahoo dot com):

ThiruKannamudhu for 5 people.
Ingredients: » 65 gms Raw Rice » 35 gms Green Gram Dal (PasiParuppu) » 500 gm Water » 400 gm Jaggery (powdered) » 4 tbsp Ghee » 2 tbsp Cashewnuts » 2 tbsp Raisins » 500 gm Meiji milk or Amul Milk.

Method: 1. Roast raw rice & green gram dal for a couple of minutes in 2 tbs Ghee. 2. Add Water and Boil till Rice and Dal get cooked almost well. 3. Add Raw Meiji Milk or Amul milk and boil well. 4. Add ghee fried Cashewnuts and Raisins. 5. Add “Theertha Parimalam” – two pinches.

Theertha Parimalam: A. Cardamom – 3 nos use seeds only B. Green Camphor – 2 small pieces C. Nutmeg (Jathikai) powder – ¼ ts or 1 gm D. Mace (Jathipathiri) – ½ gm or 2 dried petals E. Cloves – 2 nos. Powder all of them in a pestle and add HALF of it or less to payasam.

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Following recipe was sent in by Ms. Priyanka, which she got from  Mrs. Shantha Sriraghavan:

AKKAARAVADISAL

 (Iyengars’ favourite sweet dish)

(Note: Quantity mentioned here is serve for 2 persons)

Ingredients:
Rice : 1/4 tumbler
Payattham Paruppu (Green Gram): 1/2 ladle
Milk : 2 ladle
Jaggery: quantity is of the size of 2 lemons
Cashew: required quantity
Saffron (if available)
Cardamom
Dry grapes


Method:
1. Put rice, payatham parupu, milk, water in cooker.

2. Leave it to be cooked in the cooker for more time than the usual time for
making ordinary rice.

3. Powder the jaggery.

4. Mix the powdered jaggery with water, heat it & stir it continuously when
heating. Do this until it turns into syrup-like state. Filter it using some
filter like coffee filter (this is done because usually jaggery contains unwanted
particles that would've settled down in the syrup) .

5. Mix this (filtered) jaggery syrup with the cooked rice mixture. 

6. Fry cashew nut & dry grapes, & add it to the rice + jaggery mixture. 

7. Add cardamom + saffron to the mixture.


And there you go!...here's your tasty Akkaravadisal!



Note:
Akkaravadisal should be in semi-solid state. If the end preparation is too tight
(i.e. solid), then add milk to make it little loose.



COURTESY: Mrs. Santha Sriraghavan

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Okkarai Recipe 

By – GES Priyanka

Ingredients 

Kadalai Paruppu – Half tumbler (Chana Dal / Bengal gram)
Paasi paruupu –  Half tumbler (Green Gram / Payatham Paruppu)
Jaggery – 2 tumblers (Vellam)

Preparation Steps

Part 1:

1. Soak kadalai paruppu + paasi paruppu in water for an hour. 

2. Grind it so that it becomes a coarse mixture. 

3. Cook it (i.e. using cooker)

4.  if there are any big chunks in the cooked mixture, then make them into small pieces.

Part 2:

1. Take the jaggery (crushed into powder) in a vessel. 

2. Pour little water in it. 

3. Keep it in stove & heat it. While heating it, keep stirring it till it turns into a semi-solid state. Don’t allow it to become dark brown in color. It should be light brown in color only. 

4. When it becomes semi-solid, just stop heating & transfer it to another vessel & leave the mixture that is at the bottom (or lower layer) of the vessel, because that would contain small stones, etc which were in the jaggery (i.e. adulterants).   

Part 3: 

Step 1: Mix the outcome of part 1 & part 2.

Step 2: Heat it for a while till they get mixed well.

Step 3: After heating it for few minutes, stop heating it. Now add little, elakkai seeds (cardamom), pachai karpooram.

Step 4: Optionally, you can also add cashew nuts (roasted in ghee) & grated coconut

The finals! Mix the outcome of part 1 & part 2 together & there you go!! …the tasty okkarai’s ready! 🙂

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Thenkai Barfi  (Kopra PAK)

by TRS Iyengar

Ingredients:

Coconuts Grated:  3 cups

Sugar: 200 grams

Cardamom (Elaichi – Ealakkai): 5 pieces made into powder

Ghee: 50 ml.

Milk: 1 cup

Method:

In a non stick pan put the ghee and heat it. Add the scrapped coconut and stir it . Add sugar and a cup of milk. (Keep the stove to sim to get minimum heating and to avoid frying stuff become black). Cook it till the mixture gets till it become brown. Now add the Cardamom powder. (If desired, you can add colouring agents too). 

Once it becomes semi solid transfer into a plate. (Apply ghee in the plate before transferring). Once cooled, cut into square or rectangular pieces. Now the south Indian Thengai Parfi is ready to be served.

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NOTE from the webmaster: A separate page listing a detailed glossary of items used, can be had from this link. This includes the names in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil & Telugu, for the convenience of visitors. After having your taste buds excited, please forget not to put your comments in the Guest Book.  You can expect more authentic Iyengar cooking recipes in the near future. To start with, these sweet favourite items of Iyengars’ is published in this page! Enjoy!!

TRS Iyengar

Oooops! Did you expect me to Dance? Hmmm.. I am already dancing, like every one, to the Almighty’s tunes in my life. 

That’s enough. Why exert more. Can’t sweat out any more. It’s my name that Dances, no, not me dancing here.

Howazzit, my dance?

Sighhh….it is really boring.

Now let me check with him… did you like my dancing??

Hhmmm, he too says, a flat “NO”.

Mr. Iyengar, I dance better than you!

Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana !

Divorce? Should one go for it at the first place?

Think twice before you meet your lawyer!

Marriage, a thousands of year affair, with good progeny and a healthy generation to continue has now reduced to shameless act of divorce. In many cases, the give and take policy in day to day life is becoming one sided affair, only take and no return. This can safely be said in the case of both partners. Moreover, the freedom given to the younger generations from the childhood days are, in many cases misused to find their own way, rather than accepting the traditional way of finding a partner. In some cases, the marriages are fixed by the younger, then approved by their parents! This is in contrast to the traditional way, where elders decide on this matter. Just because they were brought up in an atmosphere and circumstances, where the traditional values are forgotten. Nevertheless, parents themselves are to be blamed in many cases, as they did not bring them up within their fold and never thought of teaching them the values and ethos of our own culture. Ego and personality clashes, differences in personal nature that causes the splits rather than accepting and adjusting to the reality; not giving any value to the progeny and future generation thoughts. Though one might think this for the Indian community, I am placing it here for entire human community that has some or other interest in the future of the society in general and the world we create and leave for the rest. In all my researches within educated community, what I found is, the most astonishing factors that I list below:

1. Economic freedom, independence and employment opportunity with higher pay slab causes to gain upper-hand; the trend is mostly reversing the home maker status is now to be the other way round, if not sharing the burden.

2. Many feels, settling in overseas, mainly in the US of A with a green card is sole concern and for this sake, they do not mind cheating! By hooch or crook, their interest is to land and avail the card. Then the drama unfolds. I am telling this fact, that even among the boys are it is their dream.

3. If born and brought up in a high rich families, these trends are some how escapes; the middle class families dreams are too high to state here. But the lower middle and economically lower families are some how coping with the situations to stick together, rather than going for a divorce.

3. Parting and divorcing has become a norm with some elite families that I observed all along. May be, they think it is a kind of social strata that they choose or ignore the values to their personal benefits.

4. I know a family in the US, whose wife deserted her husband after 17 years of living with him; that too having two grown up children, now with their father. She just left only to get more rich and married an American willingly! Leaving behind her own issues, a boy of 14 years and a girl of 16 years. Just for sheer luxury life style. I am worried, where these sort of marriages will lead them to. It is a shame to the humankind that for sheer lust for money, luxury and comforts they sacrifice ethical values and break the bondage.

In some cases, when the divorce take place after bearing one or two issues, the worst sufferers are the kids; socially, psychologically and mentally, they are confined to some worst but avoidable situations. No one can imagine or compensate the losses they face in life; no one can feel their pain, excepting such sufferers themselves. It is an undeniable fact – the divorcees-in-wait, should give merit to this specific aspect.

Now, let us see how we can avoid these social evil that is prevalent not only in the developed nations but also in the Eastern countries, where such break in marriage was unheard once and the married life for so sacred for them to split. In the Indian sub-continent, once the order was to select a suitable alliance by the parents; then the marriage takes place with lots of fanfare, pomp and celebrations and the witnesses of all the close relatives, near and dear are present. The marriages has one aim, bondage for lifetime! Lover each other from then on. Wherein, now a days they love each other, arrange the marriage through parents despite not knowing the implications or about the future and that breaks when the point of disagreement begins show its face. Though the Indian marriage conditions are albeit different from the western culture, I put it here for every one to think on these lines for creating a better, peaceful and happy worthy generations in the future to come.

Only an unshakable faith in unity can clear the air. An in depth understanding of each others needs, character, behavior pattern and the mutual tolerance capacity that should be be judged by each other before they come to the nuances of the alliance. By which time a year or more passes and they get a fine opportunity to develop and evolve a co-operative system, thus preventing any break in their wedded life. When at times the understanding fails, then the elders used to interfere to pacify the couple. If that too fails, then keep them separated for a specific period and counsel them in private with all the sorts of examples and exceptions. This period allows them to munch their thoughts of the facts and by then their anger is vented out to accept the reality.

The other sort of counseling through astrologers, seers and Gurus of their family did help a lot! Yes, when the family members words no longer taken by the couple, then they take chance with every available alternate mode to keep them united. And the social stigma attached to the separated couple did cause some uneasiness with both, thus mending their way for re-union of the couples and continue with their bondage. In fact, most of the joint family system that prevailed in those days, never saw any such rift taking them for divorce. It was the elders in the family to interfere and pacify the warring couples to bring them on line; it was also a family prestige issue for them to bring the matter into public or litigation that saved the bondage. By the time these adjustments arrived, they get an issue to bring up, a child in the family would always help the family from breaking!

So when next time some one thinks of going for divorce, ask yourself – what sort of society you live in and what sort of society you are going to create by this divorce. Suppose, if you remarry what if you get a worst than the first alliance? (This is what I got the answer from many, who remarried, had to say that their earlier marriage was good to some extent, when they compare the present!)

Whether it is for the wife or husband; take a cue from her/him – don’t force your ideas or thoughts to other but say politely what the benefit or loss by making such an idea. Try to listen, your better half may even have some sound and valid reasons for his/her ideas. One can really understand these when they involve in love to each other; otherwise, every word here is a waste. Though, I have a lot more to add here, I would like to get the response from concerned individuals before I proceed further. Whether it is received in good taste or otherwise, I welcome the comments, suggestions and criticism as well on this subject. Think twice before you meet your lawyer, whether it is really a necessary to go for a divorce ?

Note: You can contact me with your problems – with your family details and horoscope if you can prevent/avoid such an occurrence in your own family – if and when such a talk on divorce arises. Free counseling and consultation on your own/your partner’s birth chart is given for the needy, but with prior appointment only.